Central Wyoming News

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In today’s Energy and Natural Resources hearing, Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming engaged in a heated exchange with Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, addressing critical issues related to public land policies and their impact on Wyoming.

Senator Barrasso raised concerns about the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan, stating, “The Rock Springs Resource Management Plan would... prohibit oil and natural gas exploration on more than two million acres. It would ban trona production on over two million acres. It would severely restrict all surface uses of 1.6 million acres. The governor, congressional delegation, state legislature, county commissioners in Wyoming, local communities, all strongly oppose this plan by your department. I just want to know how can the Department be a good partner to Wyoming if it ignores the opposition from the people who are most affected by this plan?”

He also criticized the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule, highlighting its potential to hinder multiple-use on public lands. Barrasso questioned Secretary Haaland, saying, “I mean the three big parts of the Wyoming economy – agriculture, energy, tourism – so I don’t know how non-use of land qualifies as the productive use of land. Could you explain that to me?”

Furthermore, Senator Barrasso pressed Secretary Haaland on the delayed issuance of leases for onshore oil and gas leases from December 2020. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “That's not the question. The question is, leases have been sold, money's been paid, $7 million taken in, and you're supposed to put out the lease in 60 days. They handed you the wrong paper to read the wrong answer. You had three and a half years to issue the leases. Will you commit to issuing them in the next 30 days?”

The exchange between Senator Barrasso and Secretary Haaland underscored the ongoing tensions and differing perspectives on public land management policies, particularly concerning Wyoming’s economy and communities.